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Swisher remains out, but DL stint unlikely

Swisher remains out, but DL stint unlikely

NEW YORK -- Nick Swisher may have to wait a week to see if he can keep his hot start going, as the Yankees right fielder has been sent to the bench with a mild strain of his left hamstring.

Swisher said that he felt his hamstring "bite a little bit" as he took a swing against the Tigers' Max Scherzer during Sunday's 6-2 New York win. An MRI exam taken after Swisher's third-inning exit revealed the strain.

Manager Joe Girardi said that he is expecting Swisher to be sidelined until next Tuesday against the Rays, but Swisher is hoping to beat that timetable, more optimistically shooting for Thursday against the Royals in Kansas City.

"We all decided to be smart, take a couple of days off and get this thing 100 percent healed up," Swisher said. "I'm that type of guy that I like to take pride in being on the field every day. When you get banged up like this, it's kind of frustrating."

The Yankees believe they can get by without placing Swisher on the disabled list because Brett Gardner is expected to rejoin the club from his right elbow strain on Thursday in Kansas City.

Swisher is off to a blistering start, with his 23 RBIs ranking second in the American League only to the Rangers' Josh Hamilton, who has 25. Swisher is batting .284 with six homers in 21 games.

"This season is so important to us in that locker room," Swisher said. "I'd like to get it 100 percent healed up and get back in. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later."